Grading or road-scraping machine



2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

efE. KILPATRIGK. GRADING 0R ROAD SGRAPING MACHINE.

Patented July l, 1890.

/ y cig/noauto@ @vih/Lamy WM UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CALVIN E. KILPATRICK, OF TALLMANVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

`GRADING 4OR RO'AD-SCRAPING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,470, dated July 1, 1890.

Application filed March 25,01890. Serial No. 345,250. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CALVIN E. KILPATRICK, of Tallmanville, in the county of Wayne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grading or Road-Scraping Machines; and I do hereby declare the following' to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to that class of earthgrading machines in which the scraper or scrapers are adjustably mounted on suitable wheels and are employed to round up the surfaces of roads or scrape up and move loose earth from one place to another.

Its main object is to produce a machine of simple design which will accomplish the purposes fOr which it is intended in a satisfactory and complete manner, a further object being to adapt the machine for plowing or loosening up hard earth, so that it maybe readily scraped up, as before mentioned.

Vith the above objects in view the invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts to be hereinafter described, and pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a side elevation of a gradingmachine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the scraper-blade reversed. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the upper end of one of the supporting-rods. Fig. 4 is a top plan of the supporting-arm with the lever and rod shown in dotted lines. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on the line oc, Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail sections of the Vbase of the head-block and supporting-arm,

taken at right angles to each other. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the catch `and supporting-block for the end of the arm. Fig. 9 is a perspective detail.

Like letters of reference in the several iigures indicate the same parts.

The letter A designates the main frame, consisting, essentially, of two side pieces of iron secured rigidly to the rear axle A', in-

clined slightly upward and terminating in goose-necks at the forward end, where they are connected to the front bolster, such construction being common in this class of machines.

At a proper point intermediate the front and rear wheels a platform A2 for the operator is located, being supportedby four cornerposts C, and on top of these posts are bolted the cross-timbers B, which carry the operative parts, to be presently described. The scraperbar D is located immediately belqw the platform, and when in operation rests against the downwardly-projecting ends of the posts C, which constitute effectual braces, the blades being supported vertically by the hangers or rods E, pivotally connected thereto on the rear side, and extending up above the timbers B, before referred to. On each of the timbers B at the sides are secured uprights f, having bearings in the top for supporting-arms F, and downward extensions adapted to be secured to the side frames A, as shown clearly in Fig. 5. The supporting7 arms or cranes, so termed because their office is to support the scraper-bar, are hinged in the bearings referred to, and have socket-bearings F formed at their outer ends, in which are mounted the head-block Gr for the controlling-levers H, carrying the hangers or rods E, whereby the verticalposition of the scraper bar or blade may be conveniently and accurately controlled by the operator,who grasps the inner ends of the levers. The connection between the ends of the levers and hangers is preferably adjustable and is formed by means of nuts'or blocks h, pivotally connected to the levers and-surrounding the hangersso as to bind on the same when the lever is moved, and a long screw h is mounted in the upper end of the hanger and co-operates with the nut 7L to elevate or depress the same. A suitable handle or crank h2 is provided for turning the screw. It will be observed that the hanger is formed of angle-iron, and that the screw is located within the angle, making an exceedingly neat and compact connection readily adjustable to elevate one end of the blade for plowing or rounding up, or both ends to vary the level or transport the ma- IOO chine from place to place, the levers serving only as a'means for controlling and moving the scraper-bar quickly within certain limits, as is necessary, for instance, in returning to starting-point without scraping.

When one end of the scraper-bar is elevated more or less than the other, it is obvious that there must be a movable connection between the same and its hangers, and as,in addition to this, it is often desirable to shift the bar longitudinally to change theline of draft, &c., I have providedl a connection which will accomplish both ends. Referringparticularly to Fig. 9, it will be seen that the scraper-bar is provided with a T-flange D on the rear surface, extending, preferably, throughoutits entire length, and around this flange is placed a clip d, which is free to slide longitudinally thereon and is connected by a single bolt d with the hanger E, as will be readily understood. To each of the hangers is secured one end of asprocket-chain d2, which meshes with a sprocket-wheel D2, journaled at about the center of the scraper-bar, thus holding the hangers and bar in their proper relative positions, and enabling the said bar to be easily and quickly moved longitudinally in either direction by simply turning the sprocketwheel. Vith a scraper as thus far described the reversal of the scraper-bar, so as to lnove the earth to either side desired, cannot be accomplished, asthe scraper-bar is in front of the brace-posts both front and rear, and it would be necessary to uncouple the hangers and lreverse the bar by hand; but with a view to permit this operation to take place with the scraper-bar in vertical position the front posts are hinged at c and adapted to be swung `up above the level of the top of the scraper-bar. In the preferred construction a brace K, pivoted at the rear end to the frame and swinging down back of the hinged lower section of the brace-post, is provided, and to facilitate the operation of elevating and lowering said hinged section the brace K is provided with a knuckle-joint k, which can only open to a line upwardly, and the forward end is pivotally connected to the hinged section of the post. With this construction the brace and hinged section of the post may be drawn up together by a chain lo', attached to the brace, and held elevated by a hook 7a2 on the frame, and when let down the brace will straighten itself out and no amount of pressure on the scraper-bar will tend to bend the same, as will be readily understood. Additional security is secured in this direction by locating the pintle of the knuckle-joint below a line drawn straightbetween the pivotal points on the frame and hinged section of the post. When the scraper-bar is to be reversed, the hinged braced sections on both sides are elevated, and the said bar, being then hung entirely on the supporting-arms, may bc swung around; but as the center on which the bar turns is different from the centers on which the arms turn the head-blocks G are pivotally mounted on the ends of the arms, and by swinging in their bearings compensate for any difference in the arcs described by the bar and supportingarms.

To unite the head-blocks and arms, the arms are provided with a socket F', into which a downwardly-projecting annular ange g 011 the head fits, a bottom cap g having the upwardly-proj ecting lugs g2, to prevent binding, being bolted thereto by bolts g3. This constitutes in effect a double-jointed support or a jointed su pport swinging on a vertical center. The strain on the arms is relieved when the scraper is in workin g position by means of sockets M, mounted on the frame, and into which the squared ends f4 of the arms fit at each extreme of the movement. A spring-catch f (see Fig. 8) is provided to hold the arm firmly within the socket until positively released by the operator to reverse the scraper-bar.

The range of movement of the controllinglevers II may be varied by changing the point of attachment between the same and the nut 7L, a series of holes h5, Fig. 3, being provided for this purpose, into any one of which the bolt for uniting the parts may be placed.

Immediately in front of the rear axle a crank-axle N is secured beneath the framing, with the cranked portion extending forward and downward, and on this cranked portion is j ournaled a disk wheel or colter O, adapted to enter the ground more or less and prevent any side movement of the machine when in operation. This disk wheel isV elevated or lowered by means of the chain o and crankshaft P, held in adjusted position by a ratchet on said shaft, as shown. I n operation the tendency of the disk wheel is to force itself into the ground as the machine moves forward; hence under ordinary circumstances TOO no means need be employed to force the same down.

From the above it will be seen that I have produced an exceedingly simple machine, which may be manufactured at small cost, and which has a very wide range of usefulness, being adapted to plow the soil by throwing the forward point of scraper down and the rear up, to scrape the dirt so plowed together or to one side, and, iinally, to round up and smooth the road to a nicety.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new isl. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame, of the independent jointed supports'pivoted thereon to swing in a horizontal plane, and the scraper-bar hung on the ends of said supports, substantially as described.

2. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame, of the independent arms pivoted thereon and the head-blocks pivoted on said arms, and the scraper-bar supported by said head-blocks, substantially as described.

3. In a grading-machine, the combination,

IIO

with the frame, the independent arms pivoted thereon, the head-blocks pivoted on said arms, and the levers pivotedin said head-blocks, of the scraper-bar carried by said levers, substantially as described. j

4. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame, the independent arms pivoted thereon, and the head-blocks pivoted on said arms, of the scraper-bar and adjustable connections between said scraper-bar and headblocks, substantially as described.

5. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and the operating-levers carried thereby, of the scraper-bar, the hangers connected thereto, and the screws uniting said hangers and levers, whereby the scraperbar may be elevated or depressed independent of the levers, substantially as described.

(i. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and the operating-levers carried thereby, of the scraper-bar, the hangers connected thereto, the nuts surrounding the hangers and connected to the levers, and the vertical screws connecting said hangers and nuts, substantially as described.

7. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and the operating-levers carried thereby, of the scraper-bar, the angleiron hangers connected thereto, the nuts surrounding the hangers and connected to the levers, and the vertical screws located in the angle of the hangers and connecting the nuts and hangers and the handles for turning the screws and adjusting the position of the scraper-bar, substantially as described.

S. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and the operating-levers carried thereby, ot` the scraper-bar,- the hangers connected thereto, the nuts surrounding the hangers and pivotally connected to the levers, whereby they will bind, and the Vertical screws connecting said hangers and nuts, substantially as described.

9. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and reversible scraper-bar, of the brace-posts secured to the frame and having the lower hinged section, 'against which the scraper-bar rests, substantially as described.

IO. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and reversible scraper-bar,of the hinged brace-posts for said scraper-bar, substantially as described.

Il. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and reversible scraper-bar, of the brace-posts secured to the frame and having the lower hinged sections, against which the scraper-bar rests, and the brace for said section pivoted to the frame, substantially as described.

l2. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and reversible scraper-bar, of the brace-posts secured to the frame and having the lower hinged sections, against which the scraper-bar rests, and the jointed brace for said section pivoted to the frame, substantially as described.

I3. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and reversible scraper-bar, of the brace-posts having the hinged lower sections, the jointed brace pivoted on the frame and hinged section at opposite ends, and a chain or equivalent for holding said brace. elevated, substantially as described.

14. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and reversible scraper-bar, of the brace-posts having the hinged lower section, andthe brace therefor-pivoted to the frame and having the knuckle-joint, whereby it is prevented from bending down beyond a straight line, substantially as described.

l5. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and scraper-bar having the T-iange thereon, of the hangers, and the yokes connected thereto and surrounding the T-fiange, substantially as described.

16. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and scraper-bar having the T-flan ge thereon, of the indpendently-adj ustable hangers, and the yokes pivotally connected therewith and surrounding the T- flange, substantially as described.

17. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame, scraper-bar, and hangers adj ustably connected therewith, of the sprocketchain connected to the hangers and the sprocket-wheel on the scraper-bar gearing therewith for shifting the scraper-bar longitudinally, substantially as described.

1S. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame, scraper-bar having the T- flange, and the hangers having the yokes surrounding the flange, of the sprocket-chain connected to the hangers and the sprocketwheel mounted on the 'scraper-bar and gearing therewith, substantially as described.

1-9. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and scraper-bar, of the diskwheel and the crank-axle on which the saine is mounted, pivoted on the frame in rear of the said wheel, whereby the forward movement of the scraper tends to force the disk into the ground, 'substantially as described.

20. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and scraper-bar, of the intermediate disk-wheel, the crank-axle on which it is mounted, and the chain and crank-shaft for elevating said wheel, substantially as described.

21. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and scraper-bar, of the independently pivoted arms supporting the scraper-bar, and the sockets for the ends of said arms, whereby the strain on the arms is relieved, substantially as described.

22. In a grading-machine, the combination, with the frame and scraper-bar, of the independently-pivoted` arms supporting the IIO seraper-bar, the sockets for the ends of the movement sind the spring-catches for retainarins, and the catches for retaining said arms ing the :mns within the sockets, substantially Io Within the sockets, substantially as described. as described.

23. In a grading-machine, the combination, 1 With the frame, independent pivoted arms, CALVIN E' KILPA'l RICK' hangers pivotztlly connected thereto, and Witnesses: lscraper-loan? mounted on said hangers, of the LEE CHAPMAN, sockets for the arms at each extreme of. their F. E. DAY. 

